Steven Utash of Roseville was beaten by an angry crowd and left in critical condition April 3 after his pickup truck a 10-year-old boy who stepped into traffic on Morang Drive on April 3, 2014. (Courtesy photo)Courtesy photo

DETROIT, MI -- According to family members, Steve Utash is awake, and he's talking.

Utash, a 54-year-old Roseville father of three who was beaten by a mob of up to 12 April 2, has remained unconscious in an induced coma since the attack that ensued after he accidentally struck a 10-year-old boy with his pickup in Detroit.

Mandi Emerick, Utash's daughter who started a fundraising site to pay medical bills for her father posted about 1 p.m. Friday:

UPDATE ON MY DADS CONDITION:

He is off the ventilator and is able to breathe on his own. He is in and out of it with his memories. Sometimes he can look at me and remember who I am and other times he can't. Today when I asked him how old he is he said "I'm two years old" but he did know his name. He does keep saying "I don't want to die I'm sorry" and "please don't let me forget you" He also keeps flashing back to the assault screaming for "HELP" and "PLEASE GET THEM OFF ME" He didn't seem to know what happened to him or why he was in the hospital, but again it is way to early to tell. He is also on MANY pain medications which are causing him to be delirious. These are baby steps. He is able to wiggle is toes on command and answer yes or no questions. It's to soon to tell if he's going to have any memory loss or long term damage. The frontal lobe is what was affected the most and that is where his memories and personality are and this is a long road ahead but the end of the road will be worth it. It is so hard to see him like this. I will post if any other changes happen. Please continue to keep my father in your prayers and thoughts.

Also we have a P.O. Box for the Trust fund if you would like to mail a check please address the envelope S. Utash and send it to P.O. Box 761 Warren MI 48090-0761

Thank you all so much, your words mean more then you know.

Police have charged five, including a juvenile, with crimes connected to the beating. The 16-year-old is additionally charged with a hate crime of ethnic intimidation.

Since the attack, the residents in Metro Detroit and beyond have rallied behind the family.

When Utash's niece established the fundraising site for Utash's medical bills, she set a goal of $50,000. Not even a week later, the collection has surpassed the goal by $100,000.

Hundreds, including Mayor Mike Duggan, Police Chief James Craig and U.S. Congressm and John Conyerrs Jr., attended a prayer vigil with the family Thursday night.

"No matter how long I'm here I will not have a more special day than the day I go with you and your family to talk with your father," Duggan said Thursday.